The two parties are at loggerheads over the extent of union access that Laing O鈥橰ourke is permitting to its 拢212m Dumfries hospital project.
Ucatt regional secretary Steve Dillon met Trevor Donoghue, Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 industrial relations manager, to resolve issues. Mr Dillon described the meeting as 鈥渟hort, sharp and volatile鈥�.
He says he was told that the only access Laing O鈥橰ourke was prepared to provide was that union officials could speak at some inductions, with management in attendance, and then hand over any literature to the company for distribution.
However, Ucatt wants free access to speak privately to workers in canteens and rest areas, away from management. Mr Dillon was told this was not going to happen, he says.
Mr Dillon says that the contractor鈥檚 suppression of union activities represented 鈥渂ackdoor blacklisting鈥�.
He said: 鈥淟aing O鈥橰ourke have learned nothing from the blacklisting scandal. They want to intimidate workers not to join the union and if someone shows any interest then they will be marked as a target from day one. This is backdoor blacklisting and can鈥檛 be tolerated on a public sector project.鈥�
According to Ucatt, the company鈥檚 refusal to allow access to the site is contrary to the Scottish government鈥檚 Fair Work Convention.
Mr Dillon added: 鈥淲e don鈥檛 want favours, just fairness and the ability to speak to workers freely without fear of retribution. If the Fair Work Convention means anything then the Scottish government must take action to force Laing O鈥橰ourke to provide proper access.鈥�
Following initial Ucatt protests Colin Smyth MSP tabled a parliamentary motion condemning Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 action, which has so far received the support of 14 of his colleagues.
聽鈥淭his issue will not go away,鈥� Mr Dillon said. 鈥淭he campaign to win access from Laing O鈥橰ourke will be ramped up over the coming months.鈥�
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